Mike Gillislee, Gators' ground game is keeping defenses on the run

Tuesday

Sep 18, 2012 at 9:07 PM

Hays Carlyon

GAINESVILLE - Florida's running game has developed a surplus of options.

The Gators have established the physical running style second-year coach Will Muschamp wanted when he arrived in Gainesville. Running back Mike Gillislee leads the Southeastern Conference in rushing with 346 yards.

The Florida running game has been further enhanced in two ways.

Starting quarterback Jeff Driskel has scrambling ability that defenses must account for when playing UF. The 14th-ranked Gators also have a suddenly-successful wildcat package with Trey Burton.

A season ago, the Gators finished 73rd in the nation with 143 rushing yards a game. UF (3-0, 2-0) is well ahead of that pace as it prepares to host Kentucky (1-2) at 12:21 p.m. on Saturday. Florida is averaging 232.7 yards on the ground.

The impact of Driskel and Burton is profound. Take out Gillislee, the SEC's top runner, and UF is still averaging 117.4 rushing yards a game.

Driskel, a 6-foot-4, 237-pound sophomore, has run for 113 yards. He has only been the full-time starting quarterback for two games after rotating with Jacoby Brissett in the season-opening 27-14 win over Bowling Green. Despite being sacked nine times, Driskel is averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

"A one-back set is a two-back set now," Muschamp said. "A two-back set is a three-back set. You create a lot of issues for a defense when a guy has legs at the quarterback position. All of the zone-read opportunities and the different things that you're doing in the misdirection off the run game are very difficult."

Driskel's running has also opened up opportunities in the passing game. Defenses must keep track of Driskel, which limits their options in coverage.

In Saturday's 37-20 win at Tennessee, Driskel ran for 81 yards on eight carries. He also threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns, completing 14-of-20 throws.

"That's a big part of my game being able to run the ball," Driskel said. "When we're in spread, it really spreads out the defense and there are minimal people in the box. So, if they're willing to spread them out like that and they're all covered and they're man to man, they can't hang one for me, so I can make a big play."

On the season, Driskel has completed 37-of-52 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He's the SEC's third-highest rated passer (170.2) behind Alabama's AJ McCarron and Georgia's Aaron Murray.

"You simplify things in the passing game," Muschamp said. "Because from that standpoint, as a defensive coordinator, you've got to make sure all areas are covered as far as the edges are concerned. Mostly you're going to get a lot of middle-field coverage, but now you single things outside for our receivers. Again, all of that simplifies things defensively."

UF linebacker Jon Bostic learned that lesson well when facing Driskel back in spring practice.

"We saw that all throughout spring," Bostic said. "That's one thing we said about him, we hated two-minute [drills] because we turn our backs, and he takes off running. Then, we've got to turn around and run and try to catch him. So, we always knew he could run and we knew he could throw."

Burton's presence in the run game was a revelation against the Volunteers. Running the wildcat formation, he broke an 80-yard touchdown run that allowed UF to tie the game late in the third quarter. The junior finished with 91 yards on three carries and certainly gave future UF foes something to spend practice time on trying to stop.

"Having Trey, especially when he hit an 80-yarder like that, it forces the defense to play a different hand, make different calls," UF offensive coordinator Brent Pease said.

hays.carlyon@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4377

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

Stay Connected

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Florida Times-Union ~ 1 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32202 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service